You do what you are told. It's what you've always done. Because it's safe and because it's right. To do what others deem correct and necessary. You always dress correctly, always say the right thing. Or say nothing at all. You never go out of your way to do anything bold, anything unconventional...lest you be ridiculed. By whom I must ask. You never do anything wild or crazy. It's not right you don't think. But you want life. You want love. Or so you say from the depths of the safe and placid chains you've wrapped around yourself, more boring than exposed brick.

Did you know I detest everything about you? You're a good person, wrapping that goodness around yourself like a second skin, never ever letting yourself go wrong. Rigid. You're everything I've always feared and hated. You're conventional like plaid and argyle could never be. When will you realize the hand that you hold is the hand that holds you down? Will you ever realize the very things you do is keeping you from the very things you want? The things you've done have led you to be where you are. Unless you like the dry cell that you've built for yourself, do something different. Live. Not just survive. Not just a muted excuse of a person. Live.

I've never thought of myself as a truly good person. I'm selfish, ruthless, stubborn, indulgent, decadent. But I've laughed until I cried. I cried, bawled, hiccuped and then laughed until I cried some more. I've always had a hard time doing what I've been told to do, other people's opinions are not my own. I live. Because I dare to. I let people in. And I kick people out. I've loved and been loved in return. I scream. I rage. I hop on one foot and then the other at inappropriate times. I'm highly inappropriate many times. Screw convention. I've only got one life, one moment and many chances.

—  G

I have in the past posted my some of my traveling essentials when I pack for a trip depending where the destination will be, such as here and here. I've been really busy lately and with so much going on, I started packing a few weeks ago. I don't usually like to over-pack so I just have a small carry-on for a whole week long vacation. I'm surprised I was even able to take time off since I didn't think it would be possible with given my schedule, this week has been crazy tying up loose ends so I can take off and hopefully enjoy a nice break.


 
Yes, that is quite a few sunglasses there. Where I'm going, I'll be needing sunglasses and having options is always good.






I of course always pack masks when I travel. At high altitude, the humidity drops along with the temperature, which in turn dries out the skin so I usually moisturize really well before getting on the plane and using a mask inflight really help my skin from flaking. Eye masks are optional for me but occasionally I would use it during a long flight, I pack scented ones such as lavender, camomile, or eucalyptus aromas especially when cabin air is recycled.
 




I don't like long flights, my muscles gets very stiff and sore, especially since I already have back and shoulders problems. I now slap on Tiger Balm patches before each flight, it's amazing stuff. I've tried Salonpas patches before and while it sticks on really well, I hated the smell. Tiger Balm's aroma is much more tolerable. I also pack a heating pad this time just in case since my flight is much longer than any flights I've taken in the past.

Neck and/or lumbar pillows is nice to have particularly on long flights. I must must must have my security pillow with me.





Music is another must. Most recently added to my playlist is the sound of rain, like what you'd find on RainyMood.com. There's just something about the sounds of rain fall that is so soothing and relaxing for the mind and soul. I find it quite romantic actually...someone I know also loves the rain, we'd get a bit "carried away" when we talk about the rain.

A technique I learned to keep packed clothes smelling good and fresh is to spray tissue paper with my cologne/fragrance and then roll my clothes in the tissue paper to prevent wrinkles.






Oh, and a pair of black socks to keep my feet warm inflight. Have a good weekend.

I will miss you fleetingly, for a second every now and then, in a moment of weakness or fragility. I will think about how good it felt, like an evanescent, elusive dream. Until I recall that was exactly why it collapsed. It never endures.

I will miss you achingly, until every little nerve inside of me sets itself on fire and wants to break apart and escape from the confines of this body to find you, because honestly, you were the glue. I will tremble and shake and realize with pain, with tears in my eyes. I will let it go. I will realize that it has turned into a torrential downpour, and like a dam bursting, I will not be able to control it. I will feel the barely-repaired pieces of my heart break again.

I will miss you with a strange sense of detachment. It will be at times when I am doing nothing, and suddenly you will make your presence felt throughout me. Maybe it will be that I still haven’t wrapped my head around your absence. I will know that it was for the best, but I will still wonder as to how my life would have been if things had been different.

I will miss you with bitterness, with darkness and anger I did not know I possessed. I will think of you in my darkest hour and will curse you for everything that is currently going wrong in my life and everything that will go wrong. I will imagine a life where you and I never collide and everything remains picture perfect. I will hate you for tainting the memories of a time never coming back.

I will miss you with a song on my heart. Reminiscing about our moments, so light and happy, I will find them full of an easy gaiety I found with no one else. I will know that we have limited time together so I’ll do my best to make the most of it. I will, at the same time, be afraid to give my all to you. You will leave soon enough, so I hope you will not hold it against me.

I will miss you even though you’re gonna be back. Those little habits of yours which annoy me to no end will be the things I miss the most. I will wait eagerly for your return. It will be filled with sweet anticipation.

I will miss you because you were once a part of my life, because you’re not here anymore and because it hurts.

—  Brinda Taparia, I Will Miss You

Looking for some affirmation, made my way into the night. All that bullshit conversation, baby can't you read the signs? I won't bore you with the details bay, I don't even want to waste your time. Let's just say that maybe you could help to ease my mind...

In the absence of security, I made my way into the night. Stupid cupid keeps on calling me, but I see nothing in his eyes. I miss my bay.....tonight

Dear lover,

Two Sundays ago, it was a really nice day out. It was sunny with some nice breeze, so my sister, Danny and I decided we'd go out for lunch in Minnehaha Park at Sea Salt Eatery. The eatery is only open during the summer months; the owners used to work at Coastal Seafood so they have access to fresh seafood. The line was super long and the wait was just as long, I guess because of that I kinda did have high hopes for the place.











Daily special menu from which we ordered the crab stuffed avocado.




We sat out in the patio while waiting for our food to arrive. It was very nice and sunny out, a perfect day to be in the park.





I ordered two fish tacos: Mahi Mahi ($6.95) and Tilapia ($5.95) which comes with 2 tacos for each. The fish tacos were the worst thing we ordered, there was no flavor the fish at all, and it was dry. The tacos became soggy really fast, even the lime and hot sauce didn't help add more flavor to the tacos, really disappointing.




 
Sister like soft-shell crabs so she ordered the Soft Shell Crab sandwich for $15.95. I personally didn't think it was such a great deal and it didn't really taste like much to me.




We also got a Crab Cake $10.95 for one small thing. It was a bit rich for our taste.





I got the Crab Stuffed Avocado $7.95. It was the best thing that we had ordered, it was just crab meat, very fresh and actually taste like crab without any fillers like in the crab cake. It had the best value too.

Overall, this place is overrated perhaps. I probably would not come back any time soon.